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10 March 2010

These pretty monograms are from a vintage 1954 pattern book of crochet edgings and were originally meant to be filet crochet patterns for trimming sheets. Because filet crochet designs are drawn on a grid they work equally well for cross stitch. Click here for a free pattern with the entire alphabet that you can print out next time you need to add a few letters to a project.If you'd like to see some examples of vintage monograms for inspiration, you'll find a post all about them here.SaveSave

05 March 2010

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Caron Lage asking permission to link to my French knot post from her blog. She gets a lot of requests about French knots for a very special reason. A couple of years ago she started a fiber art installation project to commemorate those who have lost their lives in the Iraqi War. The project involves making a six-inch square quilt for each American military death with each square having 212 embroidered French knots to represent the Iraqi citizens who have died.

The French knots are designed to form geometric patterns.

She's gotten a lot of help from family, friends, and embroiderers all over the country but needs to finish the last 600 blocks by Memorial Day. You know how I'm always telling you to practice your French knots? What better way to do that than by making 212 of them!

The blocks are completed with black knots on solid colored fabrics.

Read more about the project on Caron's blog And Still Counting? There are lots of photos to look at here. And, if you'd like to help with a block or two she has requirements and instructions listed in the right sidebar on the blog.

About Stitch School

Stitch School, which used to be an occasional feature on my Primrose Design blog, now has its very own space on the web. You'll find the same tutorials, including step-by-step instructions and photographs, that you've come to love, and I'll be adding new stitches periodically. I'll also feature subjects related to hand embroidery.